Youthpass

Youthpass, the European tool to improve the recognition of the learning outcomes of young people and youth workers/leaders, from their participation in projects supported by the EU Youth in Action Programme, was launched in July 2007. The new European Union Erasmus+ Programme (2014-2020) will also contain Youthpass and offers new perspectives and frameworks for it.

Youthpass is a European recognition tool for non-formal and informal learning in youth work.

According to Hans-Georg Wicke (Head of JUGEND fur Europa and Head of SALTO T&C RC.) »When looking at Youthpass as a certificate, there are constantly rising figures for all actions. When looking at Youthpass as a process, there are wide range of support materials that have been developed and a high number of Youthpass-related trainings implemented. When looking at Youthpass as a strategy, there is the involvement and contribution of Youthpass to the further developments of recognition of non-formal and informal learning across Europe and beyond.«

When we think about outcomes of the project, we can call this as »Youthpass Process« Youthpass Process:

awareness of learning

process of learning

qualitiy of youthwork

recognition of youthwork

education perspectives

employment perspectives

Those are also the tools of the process of the project. So we actually can say that Youthpass is the description of competences of the participant. Youthpass implementation has also been enhancing social recognition of non-formal and informal learning. If looking at the level of political recognition, Youthpass has had its place in quality developments and debates around learning and recognition of learning in youth work at European level, and at some national levels.

Youthpass is much more than a certificate – the process dimension and the self-assessment part are very important features and great values of Youthpass. Participants' increased…

capability to explain what they learned during the project

awareness of what skills they would like to improve in the future

awareness of what they can learn by participating in a youth project

awareness of what they had learned during the project

Youthpass is useful and powerful tool with actually eight key competences framework which are, communication in the mother tongue and communication in foreign languages, mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology, digital competence, learning to learn, social and civic competence, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship and cultural awareness and expression.

Communication in the mother tongue and communication in foreign languages; I would like to reiterate that applied languages contain an important cultural element, express a certain attitude of mind, emotional disposition and cognitive structure. Language makes the social environment accessible, helps individuals to develop perspectives, attitudes and patterns of perception.

Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology; Mathematical competence is the ability to develop and apply mathematical thinking in order to solve a range of problems in everyday situations.

Digital competence ; It is underpinned by basic skills in ICT: the use of computers to retrieve, assess, store, produce, present and exchange information, and to communicate and participate in collaborative networks via the internet.

Learning to learn; This competence includes awareness of one's learning process and needs, identifying available opportunities, and the ability to overcome obstacles in order to learn successfully. This competence means gaining, processing and assimilating new knowledge and skills as well as seeking and making use of guidance. Learning to learn engages learners to build on prior learning and life experiences in order to use and apply knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts: at home, at work, in education and training. Motivation and confidience are crucial to an individual’s competence.

Social and civic competence; It is linked to personal and social well-being. Civic competence equips individuals to fully participate in civic life, based on knowledge of social and political concepts and structures and a commitment to active and democratic participation.

Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship; Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship refers to an individual's ability to turn ideas into action. It involves creativity, innovation and risk-taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives.

Cultural awareness and expression; Appreciation of the importance of the creative expression of ideas, experiences and emotions in a range of media, including music, performing arts, literature, and the visual arts.

Youthpass helps to the participant to apply for a traineeship or an internship, apprenticeship of for vocational training, for higher education, for a job or for setting up a business. Youthpass is valued in two dimensions: as a certificate; and as a tool that stimulates reflection in a given Youth in Action Programme project. Both dimensions promote social and formal recognition (employment and education). Youthpass helped to raise the understanding of what young people learn in international youth work activities and helped them in knowing how to convey this in other contexts (studies, jobs). Youthpass has a big potential as an instrument that reaches a large number of benebeneficiaries.